"A tree branch?" The Swordsman looked at Zhang Menglong with an incredulous expression.

Though the trees planted here are more robust than ordinary steel, a branch is still just a branch and would break like tofu in front of a true Divine Weapon. Zhang Menglong actually wants to spar with him using a branch, clearly showing disdain.

"Gu Xiao is going to spar with that brat."

"He actually broke off a tree branch? My heavens, has he gone mad?"

"That Sword Spirit has already merged with that Divine Weapon, a weapon that is the dream of ordinary Dao Realm warriors."

"I think it’s a strategy, making the Sword Spirit lower its guard before striking. But he’s underestimating the Sword Spirit too much."

"Indeed, though he appears childlike, his intelligence and understanding of Swordsmanship are not weaker than the owner of Sword God Manor at that time. Even without Energy, just by Sword Intent and Sword Moves alone, he won’t lose."

"Wait, don’t be so quick to conclude. Gu Xiao is inherently a monster. If viewed with ordinary eyes, losses are inevitable. It’s possible he isn’t bluffing."

Zhang Menglong’s spar with the Sword Spirit instantly became the focus of attention, attracting everyone in the small town, surrounding the large plaza completely.

"You brat, are you belittling this Sword Spirit?" The Sword Spirit seemed irritated. "My understanding of Swordsmanship, even the master of Sword God Manor would have to kneel to learn from me. If you had a Divine Weapon, you might stand a chance for a few moves. Using this shabby branch, you won’t last half a move."

"Whether I can last isn’t determined by mere words," Zhang Menglong waved the branch in his hand, the quality even surpassing the Saint Grade Divine Weapon he forged for Qing Kong at that time. It seems the Spiritual Energy concentration in this Ancient Cave Heaven is incredibly high. "I don’t bully kids, I’ll let you have three moves first."

"You’re letting me?" The Sword Spirit’s face flushed with anger, "If you let me attack first, you’ll have no chance to strike."

"Alright then, I’ll let you have five moves!"

"Wow!" A booing ensued from the crowd.

"Regardless of whether he wins or loses in the end, he’s already put on a show."

"He’s truly the most arrogant person I’ve seen in my life."

"No one has ever borrowed a move from the Sword Spirit. Gu Xiao confidently gives him five moves; only he can say such things."

"Has anyone seen him use a sword?"

"Not likely. I heard he arranged a Sword Array in some home survival base. He should know a bit about swords, but Sword Array and Swordsmanship are completely different things."

"Look, the Sword Spirit is about to strike!"

...

Disdainfully treated by Zhang Menglong, the Sword Spirit was feeling emotional. Pouting his lips, he grabbed casually, and a small sword resembling a Moonstone, glistening with blue-white light, formed in his pudgy little hand.

In that instant, he seemed no longer an immature child but rather an unsheathed precious sword!

"The brat has some skills," Zhang Menglong couldn’t help but admit. This Sword Spirit is the highest in mastery he’s seen so far.

True Swordsmanship isn’t showcased merely in slashing or thrusting; a swordsman knows whether he can win the moment he holds his sword.

Suddenly, the Sword Spirit’s body shuddered. He merely adjusted his grip, and a fierce Sword Qi surged towards Zhang Menglong.

Where it passed, jagged scratches appeared on the ground, not just one sword mark, but an attack made from thousands of condensed Sword Intents.

"This brat is going all out."

"Good thing; if he can take down this damned Gu Xiao, he takes away a major nuisance for us."

"You say that... Go for it, brat!"

"Shush, be quieter. What if he really wins?"

Even spectators who were just there for entertainment started feeling a glimmer of expectation.

Living in an era with someone like Lin Yuan is already a sorrowful thing. Now with Zhang Menglong appearing, they’ve been oppressed to the point they cannot see the sun. Recently, most have suffered some form of extortion by Zhang Menglong, either monetarily or deceitfully. If he were defeated, it’d be a relief surely shared by all.

"Humph!" Zhang Menglong coldly snorted, lightly waving the branch in his hand.

"Death is like the wind, always by my side!"

In that moment, a visible Phoenix Wall appeared before him!

The Sword Spirit’s Sword Intent impacted on this wind wall, dissipating without creating much disturbance!

"Blocked it?"

"What kind of Swordsmanship is this?"

"That wind wall isn’t air flow; it seems also formed by thousands of condensed Sword Intents!"

Though not reaching that realm, Sword Cultivators could perceive some clues. Zhang Menglong’s Swordsmanship had also reached an almost extraordinary level; in both the quality and quantity of Sword Intent, he nearly compared with the Sword Spirit.

"One move down, brat, continue!" Zhang Menglong spoke with a mocking tone.

"Among these people, I acknowledge you as the strongest." The Sword Spirit for the first time showed a serious expression. Compared with others, Zhang Menglong’s Swordsmanship indeed reached another realm, yet the Sword Spirit did not think Zhang Menglong could rival him.

If Swordsmanship were divided into nine segments, those geniuses at most reached the second or third segment. The Sword Intent the Sword Spirit just displayed would roughly be in the fifth segment, yet he was truly at the eighth!

As for the elusive ninth segment, it was the realm constantly sought by the Sword God Manor’s master, but it was merely a theoretical realm. Even the first Sword God, founder of Sword God Manor, had never attained it, leaving its existence a mystery.

The Sword Spirit swung his sword truly for the first time, but merely made a drawing motion without moving 100 meters closer to Zhang Menglong.

However, with that gentle swing, a visible crack appeared in the void, striking towards Zhang Menglong like lightning in night sky.

The durability of the Ancient Cave Heaven’s space was witnessed by everyone; breaking open this space was a feat beyond Dao Realm warriors, yet the Sword Spirit accomplished it using sheer Sword Intent, demonstrating an almost transcendental skill.

"Hasse!"

Facing such a level of Sword Qi assault, Zhang Menglong merely positioned the branch before him. Immediately, white Sword Qi spiraled around his body, preventing the fierce Sword Intent from breaching his Sword Qi defense!

"Stop with the child’s play," Zhang Menglong once again sheathed the sword, "launch the ultimate move directly already, I have another place to be!"